Although Mary lived her entire life in Nazareth, a small village of no consequence in Galilee, it was most precious to her, for it was there she met and eventually fell in love with her husband. 

Both being from the line of David, it was a marriage of expectation from the entire village, so the arrangements were made by her father and Joseph, as was the traditional Jewish custom.

She did not love him so well in the beginning, being young when betrothed to the dark-eyed, mildly mysterious man of the house of David. But, the events ordained from the dawn of time brought them together in ways no other couple would experience before or since. 

Shortly after their betrothal, Mary was working alone in the family garden-

“Greetings highly favored one; the Lord is with you!”

Sinking to her knees in fear, she pondered perplexingly at this radiant being’s salutation, “What could he mean? I am just a Nazarite girl.” 

Sensing her trepidation, he continued, “Do not be afraid, for you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will call Him Jesus…”

Mary, unable to take in all the angel was saying, asked humbly, “How can this be, for I am a virgin?”

Gabriel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby will be holy, and He will be called the Son of God. 

What’s more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age…

For nothing is impossible with God.” 

Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her. (Luke 1:28-38)

How could she so immediately surrender her life to God’s call when asked? 

Look at Zechariah’s response to the same angel. They both questioned—only one doubted. 

Did Gabriel’s encouragement of Elizabeth’s miracle instantly sow seeds bringing forth the fruit of faith in her heart? 

Or did she somehow know-

We don’t have to be qualified before we are called.

What kind of teen girl could possibly be equipped to mother the King of the universe?

One who maintained a posture of preparedness and surrender to her Lord.

She was simply willing to take her next right step- “Yes, Lord; I surrender,” even in the face of disgrace and destitution.

Friend, are you sensing God’s nudge, but full of doubt regarding your own capabilities to comply? Are you questioning God’s goodness regarding your future? “Will He really come through, work it out, show up, help me succeed?” 

Dear one, God is for you, with you, and will help you. He will not call you, then walk away.

Let the words of Gabriel be a balm to your tremulous, confused or aching heart, as they were to Mary’s that life-altering day- 

For nothing is impossible WITH God.

What next step do you need to take with God? 

Is it a simple, “Yes, Lord,” or perhaps, “I surrender, Father?”

Will you take some time this Christmas season to bear your heart to Jesus? He is faithful; He will reply, and I guarantee His answer will be gentle and non-burdensome. 

Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light Matt.11:29-30.

Mary didn’t have all the answers or the details mapped out, and she surely knew the path ahead would include disgrace, difficulty and danger. But she knew her Father, and that was good enough for her. 

She chose faith, her armor, over insulating herself against the hazardous and dangerous future ahead. We can to because we have the same Jesus walking every step of the way with us!

When we over-insulate ourselves, we’re protecting ourselves right out of a calling. Beth Moore

*Photos courtesy of The Nativity Story movie and pexels.com